There’s no doubt that the Tigers are in “must win” mode from here on out, and the team certainly played like that was the case on Tuesday night. Detroit pummeled Oakland by a 12-2 margin despite losing starting pitcher Max Scherzer after only two innings due to what was dubbed shoulder fatigue. Scherzer was immediately sent for an MRI which showed no damage, but the team will play it safe and shut him down for a few days before re-evaluating his condition.

It goes without saying that the Tigers can’t count on making the playoffs – or making any sort of run in the playoffs – without a healthy Max Scherzer who’s been lights out for a stretch. It doesn’t appear as though he’ll be making his next scheduled start, but I don’t think that’s been officially ruled out at this point either. His rest-of-season playing time may depend on how competitive the team stays in the division race.

Offensively there was plenty to cheer about as well. Jhonny Peralta, Prince Fielder, and Miguel Cabrera (twice, once as a grand slam) each homered, and the club scored at least one run in six of their eight offensive innings. Cabrera’s big day (2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI) lifted him to career highs in home runs (40) and RBI (129), and puts him in legitimate striking distance of the Triple Crown. I still would say that Mike Trout is the AL MVP, but Cabrera has had a year for the ages.

Other Notes:

It was announced that that Alex Avila was not medically cleared to play after taking a Prince Fielder elbow to the head the other day, but the Tigers say he did not suffer a concussion. He’s considered day-to-day.

Quintin Berry (2-4, 2B) left the game in the seventh inning with a shoulder injury after diving for, and missing, a fly ball. X-rays were negative.

The Chicago White Sox defeated the Kansas City Royals 3-2, so they remain three games ahead of Detroit in the AL Central standings. You could say the win meant little because of Chicago's win as well, but the A's are the toughest team left on the Tigers schedule (two games remain), but Chicago still has seven to play versus the likes of Los Angels and Tampa Bay.

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